Rigid Chain Support Pins for Precise Reactor Sensor Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of support devices for functional elements, such as sensors, in industrial reactors is hindered by the extreme internal congestion and limited space, leading to difficulties in precise positioning and reproducibility, which affects the quality of monitoring and increases installation time.
Innovation Solution
A support device featuring a rigid chain with articulated links and secured support pins that allow for precise and repeatable positioning of functional elements, enabling them to be fastened upstream of the support case, reducing installation time and improving measurement capabilities by allowing closer placement to the reactor interior.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the sensor is suspended manually on the rigid chain inside the reactor, then the sensor can be positioned to measure charging parameters, but the positioning is not precise and not reproducible, and the sensor may move during measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is pre-mounted on the rigid chain outside the reactor before charging operations begin. This preliminary action allows for precise positioning and secure fastening in a controlled environment, eliminating the need for difficult inside-reactor installation while ensuring reproducible positioning for measurements
Solution Approach 2:
The support device is divided into modular components: the rigid chain with pre-mounted sensors, the movable support structure, and the reactor interface components. This segmentation allows sensors to be installed and positioned precisely outside the reactor, then the entire assembly is moved into position as a unit
2Ease of manufacture
If the sensor is suspended low on an arm, then the sensor can be easily installed, but the measuring dead zone increases over the last 500 mm
Solution Approach 1:
The support device uses a movable support structure that can dynamically adjust the sensor's position along the rigid chain. This allows the sensor to be positioned at optimal heights for measurement while maintaining easy installation through the movable mechanism, eliminating the fixed dead zone problem of low-suspension designs
3Reliability
If the cover of the sensor is pierced to fasten it, then the sensor can be secured to the chain, but the sensor is damaged due to water penetration
Solution Approach 1:
A specialized fastening mechanism acts as an intermediary between the sensor and the rigid chain. This intermediary component secures the sensor without piercing its protective cover, maintaining the cover's integrity and preventing water penetration while still providing reliable fastening
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor is pre-mounted on the rigid chain outside the reactor before charging operations begin. This preliminary action allows for secure fastening in a controlled environment, eliminating the need for difficult inside-reactor installation while ensuring reproducible positioning for measurements
4Ease of operation
If operators maneuver the charging device in the congested reactor interior, then the device can be installed and adjusted, but the limited space makes maneuvering difficult and increases installation time
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is pre-mounted on the rigid chain outside the reactor before charging operations begin. This preliminary action allows for precise positioning and secure fastening in a controlled environment, eliminating the need for difficult inside-reactor installation while ensuring reproducible positioning for measurements
Solution Approach 2:
The support device employs a movable support structure that can be positioned and adjusted externally, allowing installation operations to be performed outside the congested reactor interior, thereby reducing installation time while maintaining ease of operation
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution facilitates faster and more precise installation of functional elements, enhances measurement accuracy by reducing the sensor's dead zone, and minimizes damage to sensors and cables, thereby improving the monitoring quality of solid particle charging operations.
Implementation Method 1
a rigid support chain formed of a plurality of links articulated in pairs by rollers
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a support device for a rigid chain (401) composed of links (402) that are connected in pairs by rollers (403). The movement of the rigid chain is guided by an internal housing (406) of a support casing (405). One or more support pins (404) project from one side of the chain, parallel to the axis of the link rollers. Furthermore, a face (411) of the casing extending substantially perpendicularly to the axes of the rollers has a through-groove (412) communicating with the internal housing (406). This groove (412) extends along the entire length of the housing and has dimensions, in a plane perpendicular to the axes of the rollers (403), that are sufficient to allow through only the support pin(s) (404), which pass through the groove (412) and protrude from the support casing (405) by a predetermined length allowing the fastening of one or more functional elements.